RIOTS

RIOTS

New Zealanders are, generally speaking, a law-abiding
people. Unpopular regulations concerning drinking or gambling
are frequently ignored, but disturbances of the peace are
rare and the few riots which have occurred stand out
prominently in our history. Popular fancy has dignified some
of these incidents with the name of “battles”, but very
little blood has been shed in New Zealand riots and few lives
have been lost. The causes of these disturbances were
religious at first, and in later years economic. No civilian
riots have occurred in New Zealand since the depression of
the thirties – a sign of the easing of economic and social
tensions associated with the growth of the Welfare State.

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How to cite this page: . 'RIOTS', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 23-Apr-09URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/1966/riots